27TH ANNUAL

BOWLING CENTER

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AWARDS

SOME HAVE BOWLING-FOCUSED names such as King Pin and Seven Ten. Others don’t mention bowling at all in their names: Latitude 30 and The Clubhouse. And still others have names that simply convey a sense of fun: Moose Alley and Lucky Jack’s. What all of these businesses have in common is the presentation of a traditional sport and leisure-time activity — bowling — in a thoroughly modern and forward-looking manner. They have created their welcoming environments, whether intended for families or primarily adult clientele, through the effective use of architectural and interior design elements. In essence, whether brand new facilities or venerable establishments that have undergone extensive modernization, these are the bowling centers of the future — and they’re here today for all to experience. Peruse the pages that follow, and get acquainted with what may well be your bowling future.

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Best New Center

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BOWLMOR LANES TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK, N.Y. Owner: Bowlmor Lanes LLC (Tom Shannon) Architect: Ramon Chicon, BLU3 Development and Architecture, PLLC One year ago this month, what may be the world’s most expensive bowling center opened in New York City’s famous Times Square, in space formerly occupied by offices of the New York Times. Encompassing 90,000 square feet and offering 50 lanes of bowling (equipped by QubicaAMF) in seven themed areas, the $22 million Bowlmor Times Square takes the tenpin experience to a whole new level. Guests are greeted by a vintage-style neon sign depicting “Bowlmor Bob.” Once inside, the attention to design detail is impossible to ignore. In the Chinatown Lanes area, there’s a giant gong. On the walls of the Pop New York Lounge, there’s artwork inspired by Andy Warhol. “Hiding” the Prohibition Lounge is a hat shop/townhouse façade. In some ways, the facility confuses because there are so many disparate design themes. But, ultimately, Tom Shannon’s outside-the-box concept works, as Bowlmor’s new flagship facility mirrors the truly cosmopolitan nature of Times Square.

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Best New Center Exterior

CELEBRITY LANES CENTENNIAL, COLO. Owner: Bob Koontz and Cal Eichinger Architect: Kevin Mills, Architectural Concepts If the multi-faceted frontispiece doesn’t stir your fluids, the dramatic two-story interior entryway will. Celebrity Lanes pays homage to the old Celebrity Sports Center, Colorado’s most famous bowling center and former PBA tournament host that now is but a memory. It houses 36 lanes (with QubicaAMF equipment), eight lanes of VIP suites, the Altitude Sports Grille Tap House, kids’ party areas, and a game area with redemption center dubbed Rocky’s Arcade. The entry canopy has a dramatic shape, and the effective use of bright accent colors, lighting and signage creates a true focal point and sense of “having arrived.”

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New Center Exterior Award of Excellence

LATITUDE 30 JACKSONVILLE, FLA. Owner: Brent Brown Architect: Roy Williams Architect, Inc. The judges liked the way the exterior of this Brunswickequipped center hangs together. In some ways, the neon treatment mimics old-time movie theaters, but the typeface definitely is 21st century. They also liked the outdoor patio right next to the entryway — not an alternative in all climes, but certainly worthwhile in a balmy place such as Jacksonville.

New Center Exterior Award of Excellence

IX BOWLING PETERSBURG, GERMANY Owner: Merkur Spielothek Architect: Susanne Rasspe Spectacular entryways not only are architecturally pleasing, but attract customers to businesses — in this case, a compact bowling center (with nine Brunswick lanes) and casino. The effective use of glass and colorful lighting makes this German center a real charmer.

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Best New Center Interior

ABSOLUTELY TENPIN SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM Owner: Absolutely Leisure Interior Designer: Bignell Shacklady Ewing Absolutely Leisure is a registered charity, whose operators felt could generate more revenue via bowling than through its existing indoor tennis courts. QubicaAMF provided the tenpin equipment for the family-oriented facility, which now oozes a ménage of styles and colors that, in some areas, can be changed to fit the clientele at any given time. The sleek design carries through to the VIP lounge, where four lanes are complemented by an independent sound-and-light system and premium seating.

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New Center Interior Award of Excellence

RED BOWL BUNDE, GERMANY Owner: Christian Miele and Thomas Weul Interior Designer: Creativ Concepte Our judges have seen some nifty tricks with lighting over the years, but this Brunswick-equipped 16-laner is over the top. We can only hope that serious bowlers aren’t distracted by all those light sculptures on the sidewalls — which make a bold impression.

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New Center Interior Award of Excellence

METRODOME BOWLING BARNSLEY, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND Owner: BPL Interior Designer: Michael Hirst The long-time host of the USA-versus-Europe Weber Cup never had a permanent tenpin installation — until now. The eight-lane QubicaAMF layout is complemented by a British minimalist treatment that one judge described as “industrial elegance.” The high ceilings are interlaced with structural beams and assembly line-like light fixtures, all tied together by plain pipe rack railings. The owners wanted to create a “wow factor” in the new space, and they were successful.

Best New Center Lounge/Restaurant

KING PIN WALDSHUT-TIENGEN, GERMANY Owner: Norman Schuster and Michael Schwendemann Interior Designer: Michael Schwendemann Communal dining under a fancy chandelier might not work in America, but it’s apparently okay in this small town in southern Germany, near the Swiss border. The judges liked the wood floors and checkerboard ceiling in the bar/restaurant area of this Brunswick-equipped 14-laner.

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New Center Lounge/Restaurant Award of Excellence

SEVEN TEN HAGERSTOWN, MD. Owner: Have a Bowl, LLC (Ash and Morris Azadi) Interior Designer: MSB Architects Ash and Morris Azadi felt Hagerstown was in need of a modern family entertainment center, so they visited centers with similar business models and brought what they considered the best ideas to Seven Ten, a 22-lane Brunswick-equipped center. Note how the effective use of wood and cozy-looking furniture tie together the bowling area and the drinking arena in a totally seamless way. The center also features a 6,000-sq.-ft. arcade and redemption center, as well as multiple conference rooms.

New Center Lounge/Restaurant Award of Excellence BOWLMOR LANES TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK, N.Y. Owner: Bowlmor Lanes LLC (Tom Shannon) Interior Designer: BLU3 Development and Architecture, PLLC There are plenty of places to imbibe at Bowlmor. The business model demands it. But of all the watering holes, the one that truly projects “class” is the Uptown Bar & Lounge, adjacent to the Prohibition Lanes area. The lighting is understated, the seating can be communal or comfortably semi-private, and the atmosphere exudes the elegance of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

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Best New Center Ancillary Profit Center

EMAGINE STAR LANES ROYAL OAK, MICH. Owner: Paul Glantz Interior Designer: Dynamic Designs/JLD Designs US Bowling Corp. provided the tenpin equipment expertise for this fairly new business concept, which combines a 16-lane “bowling boutique” with a 10-screen cinema and a highly specialized food service program. Owner Paul Glantz took a leap of faith on an economically challenged area in raising the entertainment bar, and also offering still more leisure options such as pool tables.

New Center Ancillary Profit Center Award of Excellence TIMEOUT SPIEZWILER, BERN, SWITZERLAND Owner: Andreas Bosiger Interior Designer: Globalbau Amman With 12 fully-equipped Brunswick lanes, billiard tables and even a cute indoor miniature golf course, one could spend a lot of time at Timeout. And that’s exactly the point, as the facility was built for leisurely fun. There’s even a big umbrella towering over a table and chairs in the miniature golf area, presumably to shield visitors from the harsh Alpine sun.

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New Center Ancillary Profit Center Award of Excellence

THE CLUBHOUSE STATESBORO, GA. Owner: Tony Ross Interior Designer: Dynamic Designs & Associates There is a lot to do at The Clubhouse, a 24-lane, QubicaAMF-equipped center in the hometown of Georgia Southern University. And that includes the “minibowling” game known as Highway 66, as well as a massive arcade. The trio of huge bowling pins is a nice design touch for greeting patrons and separating the various entertainment venues within the facility.

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Best Renovated Center Exterior

DON CARTER LANES ROCKFORD, ILL. Owner: John Sommer Interior Designer: David Jenkins & Associates Don Carter Lanes wasn’t exactly an eyesore, but proprietor John Sommer felt the time had come for a major modernization. And what a transformation it is. The judges particularly liked the color scheme of warm yellows and reds, punctuated by touches of blue and green. New landscaping also adds to the overall “younger” feel of the property.

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Renovated Center Exterior Award of Excellence

DONCASTER SUPERBOWL DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND Owner: Keith Brown Properties Project Managers: Darren Hemmingway/ DCI Reburbishment Limited It’s not exactly the I.M. Pei-designed Pyramid at the Louvre in Paris, but the judges did admire the glassy new entrance to this QubicaAMF-equipped center. A new sign and a spruced-up color scheme complete the package — not bad considering the makeover was quarterbacked not by a design firm, but rather the center’s general manager.

Renovated Center Exterior Award of Excellence

VERO BOWL VERO BEACH, FLA. Owner: Mike Rechter Architect: Jeffrey Ray, Atelier d’Architecture Inside, 32 Brunswick-equipped lanes and a highly upgraded décor, courtesy of Dynamic Designs & Associates, await. To drive customers through the doors, a big investment also was made in modernizing the center’s exterior. That long slab of concrete has been replaced by a colorful portico and a catchy new logo. As one judge put it, “Florida retirees must be rushing to their ophthalmologists, because this surely can’t be the same bowling center that has been standing on 14th Lane all these years.” Well, it’s not the same. It’s better.

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Best Renovated Center Interior BOWLING LOUNGE MONCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY Owner: Andre Friedman Interior Designer: Andre Friedman They don’t come much sleeker than the Bowling Lounge. This QubicaAMF-equipped center’s new interior represents a mostly angular transformation. It is highlighted by dramatic lighting throughout, from the casual seating area to the billiards space to the 20 tenpin lanes.

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Renovated Center Interior Award of Excellence

MOOSE ALLEY RANGELEY, MAINE Owner: Nancy Bessey Interior Designer: Cornerstone Architecture Before its transformation, this Brunswick-equipped 10-laner could best be described as “cozy.” It’s still that, but the new, much more colorful décor provides energy and a sense of excitement. And let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love a fire pit — particularly in frosty Maine?

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Best Renovated Center Lounge/Restaurant

BOWLING LOUNGE MONCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY Owner: Andre Friedman Interior Designer: Andre Friedman Talk about an inviting space. The lounge at the Bowling Lounge is enticing to the eye, and projects a sense of adventure through the use of “stripes” of neon lights.

Renovated Center Lounge/Restaurant Award of Excellence

WAYNE WEBB’S COLUMBUS BOWL COLUMBUS, OHIO Owners: Mike Irvin and Wayne Webb Project Managers: Mike Irvin and Wayne Webb When PBA Hall of Famer Wayne Webb put his name on a venerable bowling center in Columbus, his sense of pride prompted his inclusion in the design process for the 48-lane center’s lounge. From this angle, one can look out on the lanes (with their eye-catching masking units), take in a game on the giant screen, and enjoy a beverage at a bar that unquestionably was designed by a bowler.

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Best Renovated Center Ancillary Profit Center

COSMO BOWLING MUENSTER, GERMANY Owner: Jan O. Hoops Interior Designer: Gastro Direct This 28-lane, Brunswick-equipped center also devotes substantial space to billiards, giving patrons another reason to stick around longer. The judges admired the “big lamp shade” lighting treatment.

Renovated Center Ancillary Profit Center Award of Excellence LUCKY JACK’S TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. Owners: Mike and David Mohrhardt Interior Designer: Dynamic Designs & Associates Nothing was left to chance at this 33-lane Brunswick-equipped center, formerly known as Timber Lanes. In addition to a massive arcade and a laser tag area, the facility includes bumper cars, a “general store” (a.k.a. a redemption center) and a “VIP” bar.

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